artkleko's photo blog

MAN-MADE ABSTRACTS

2012-01-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

A visit to the mouth of the Richmond River, Ballina, NSW, last week (part 1).

Richard

WAVE ACTION

2012-01-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

I am fascinated with the sea, especially waves. I photographed a wave breaking over a rock at Point Danger, Coolangatta, Queensland.

Richard

SAND PATTERNS AT HERVEY BAY

2012-01-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

It's low tide at the Urangan Pier, Hervey Bay, Queensland.

Richard

ACQUARIUM

2012-01-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

Some of the fish I saw at Neptune's Aquarium, Hervey Bay,

Richard

SEA EAGLE

2012-01-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

I photographed this sea eagle as it flew over Neptune's Aquarium in Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia.

Richard

SAND PATTERNS

2012-01-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

I took these photos standing offshore at Lake Mackenzie, on Fraser Island.

Richard

FRASER ISLAND BEACH

2012-01-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

The main beach on Fraser Island is a 'highway' (max speed 80 kph), shared by all manner of cars and even light planes!

Richard

THE MAHENO

2012-01-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

The Maheno ran aground on the Eastern side of Fraser Island as it was being towed to Japan for scrap in 1935 ...

Richard

EAGLE

2012-01-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

I photographed this brown morph Little Eagle, at Toogoom Beach, near Hervey Bay.

Richard

HERVEY BAY BOTANICAL GARDENS 4.

2012-01-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

Some of the birds we met at the gardens - swamp hens, ibis and ducks.

Richard

HERVEY BAY BOTANICAL GARDENS 3.

2012-01-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

The lake at the gardens has many turtles...

Richard

HERVEY BAY BOTANICAL GARDENS 2.

2012-01-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

Let's feed the birds (and turtles)!

Friday: Meet some turtles!

Richard

HERVEY BAY BOTANICAL GARDENS 1.

2012-01-02T00:01:00.000-08:00

On Saturday Val and I had lunch at the Hervey Bay Botanical Gardens. Over the coming week I will share some photos of our time there.

MYSTERY SOLVED

2011-12-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

Did you solve the mystery images in Wednesday's post?
Today I am featuring the same images, but not inverted as they were in the last post.
They are sand patterns.....did you guess right?

Richard

MYSTERY IMAGES

2011-12-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

What are these photos about?
These images were the result of a visit to The Pier, at Hervey Bay.
I shall reveal all in the next blog post on Friday.

Richard

CLOSE-NEAR-FAR 2.

2011-12-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

The second set of photos (see last Wednesday's post), reveals the subject (top image).

Richard

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

2011-12-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

What does Christmas mean to you?

I recently read where a survey stated that 60% of Australians don’t know a Christian. This is a rather disturbing statistic and it’s been driven home to me well and truly while travelling down the Australian East Coast.

It seems that Christmas is all about retail therapy on a massive scale. The country’s retailers are using any method possible to ‘encourage’ us to ‘spend, spend, spend’. Retail figures will determine the fate of the world! Why is this so?

This year Val and I are spending Christmas together, away from our families and friends. This is our choice as we are 9 months in to our 12 month holiday on the mainland of Australia. On Christmas Day we will attend the Hervey Bay Uniting Church service at 8am, and at midday we are having lunch at the Pier Restaurant. Calls to the family will be received and made, giving us a link with our loved ones on the day. We may be away from home, but at least Hervey Bay is giving us the feel of Christmas.

Last Sunday evening we attended a Carol service at the Hervey Bay Uniting Church and it was the best one we’ve ever been to. The spirit of Christmas was certainly evident that night and it was infectious!

Christians however, don’t ‘own’ Christmas, they celebrate what is an essential part of their faith while the secular world celebrates what Christmas means to them.

Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy, peace, reconciliation and harmony. Advertisers tell us that we must spend heaps on food and drink and buy presents for all the family, our extended family, friends and work colleagues, the postman and next door’s dog. Why? You buy presents for people you may not like and get stuff that you don’t need. Sometimes all that is needed is a card, a phone call or a visit.

But Christmas isn’t a good time for those who are grieving, those who are lonely, sick, depressed or poor. How do they cope? Shops are crammed full of things to buy. The push for sales is everywhere, the pressure to buy is enormous. The secular society is firing on all cylinders!

December seems fast and furious as we ‘steam ahead’ to December 25. What then? December 26 (Boxing Day) is the day everyone heads for the stores (again) to be greeted by ‘sensational markdowns’, too good to refuse. Once again people buy things they don’t want, but it makes them feel good, at least in the short term.

It doesn’t have to be like that; it’s all about ‘attitude’. Historically, Christmas was never about spending more money than you have, just to make you and other people feel good.

Not all our family members believe in Christmas, but they don’t believe in wild spending at this time of the year.

It may be quiet here at Hervey Bay on December 25, but I am confident that the true spirit of Christmas will be there.

Whatever you believe in, I sincerely hope that this Christmas is a joyful one for you.

Richard

CLOSE-NEAR-FAR 1.

2011-12-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

Last week we visited Town of 1770, on our way to Bundaberg and I took some photos of the coastline.
Today's featured images are the first in a series of six that feature a large rock.
The 'close-near-far' way of seeing is one that many artist employ when designing an artwork.
Next Monday's post will feature the second group of photos.

Richard

BEACH PATTERNS

2011-12-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

Some examples of patterns from Mulambin Beach in Queensland along with the same images inverted.

Richard

ROCKS IN FOCUS

2011-12-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

Some examples of the striking colours that are to be found in the rocks at Mulambi Beach in Queensland, Australia.

Richard

MULAMBI ROCKS

2011-12-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

Examples of the rocks at Mulambi Beach, in Queensland Australia.
A closer view of some of the rocks on this blog on Friday

Richard

ABSTRACTS FROM THE LAND

2011-12-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday Val and I visited Mulambi Beach, just south of Yeppoon in Queensland, Australia.
I took about 120 photos, mainly of the wonderful rock patterns that I saw.
I love the weathering in both of today's featured images.

Richard

COOEE BEACH AT YEPPOON

2011-12-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

A bit of digital fun from one of the beaches that Val and I regularly walk on while we are staying at Yeppoon in Queensland, Australia.

Richard

PANORAMA

2011-12-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

This is Lammermoor Beach, just across the road from where we are staying at Yeppoon, Queensland.

Richard

CAIRNS SUNRISE

2011-12-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

A tropical sunrise.

Richard

VINTAGE BEAUTY

2011-12-02T00:01:00.000-08:00

I was at the Rockhampton Hertiage Village on Wednesday and photographed a vintage Essex car.
The top photo has been inverted.

Richard

GREEN FISH

2011-11-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

I photographed this magnificent fish at Daydream Island, in the Whitsundays, last week.

Richard

TURTLES

2011-11-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

The Reef HQ Aquarium has many turtles and as well is home to a turtle hospital.

Richard

RETAINING WALL

2011-11-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

I love the shapes in this retaining wall I photographed at Rowes Bay, Townsville.

Richard

REEF HQ AQUARIUM 4.

2011-11-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

Some of the smaller fishes at the aquarium.

Richard

REEF HQ AQUARIUM 3.

2011-11-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

More of the residents...

Richard

REEF HQ AQUARIUM 2.

2011-11-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

Meet some of the residents...

Richard

REEF HQ AQUARIUM 1.

2011-11-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

The Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville is the largest coral reef aquarium in the world and I believe it's the equal of any aquarium in Australia.
Isn't coral wonderful!

Richard

CASTLE HILL

2011-11-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

Castle Hill is situated in Townsville, Australia and is 10 meters short of being recognised as an official mountain.
These photos were taken at 8.30 pm.

Richard

COME AND GET IT! 2.

2011-11-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

It's every bird and fish for themselves!

Richard

COME AND GET IT! 1.

2011-11-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

Fish feeding at Green Island (near Cairns, Australia) is an exciting time, especially for the seagulls!

Richard

DARWIN ABSTRACT 2.

2011-11-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

Can you see the landscape in this rock face?

Richard

DARWIN ABSTRACT 1.

2011-11-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

Hot rocks...

Richard

DARWIN LEAF

2011-11-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

An abstract composition from the Darwin Botanical Gardens.

Richard

KAKADU TANGLE

2011-10-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

I love the 'tangled look' of this section of landscape that I photographed at Kakadu.

Richard

FISH FEEDING FRENZY

2011-10-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

Mullet feeding in Darwin.

Richard

WATER ABSTRACT

2011-10-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

Floating leaves inspired this digital abstract.

Richard

ROCK WALL

2011-10-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

Rocks from Chillagoe, 200 kms west of Cairns in Far North Queensland, Australia.

Richard

LEAVES FROM THE TROPICS

2011-10-23T00:01:00.001-07:00

This digital image was inspired by leaves that I photographed at the Kakadu National Park inAustralia's Northern Territory.

Richard

NATURAL STAINED GLASS

2011-10-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

This digital image was inspired by reflections I saw in a small stream of water at the Flecker Botanical Gardens in Cairns.

Richard

BELOW THE SURFACE

2011-10-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

I love exploring what lies below the surface.
I took this photo at the Flecker Botanical Gardens in Cairns.

Richard

DARWIN ABSTRACT 6.

2011-10-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

There is much to admire in the natural world...

Richard

DARWIN ABSTRACTS 5.

2011-10-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

A nice contrast of colours...

Richard

DARWIN ABSTRACTS 4.

2011-10-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

Good subjects for painting...

Richard

DARWIN ABSTRACTS 3.

2011-10-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

Close (top) and far (bottom) views that have distinct landscape qualities.

Richard

DARWIN ABSTRACTS 2.

2011-10-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

Can you see the landscapes?

Richard

DARWIN ABSTRACTS 1.

2011-10-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

This is the first in a series of images that have great 'abstract' appeal. The images were cropped from photos taken on my recent trip to Darwin.

Richard

DARWIN BOTANICAL GARDENS

2011-10-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

I love Heliconias.

Richard

GEOLOGICAL ABSTRACTS

2011-10-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Some examples of the wonderful abstract patterns to be found in the Kakadu National Park, in Australia's Northern Territory.

Richard

TROPICAL KOOKABURRA

2011-10-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

This young fellow appeared while we were having lunch at the Katherine Gorge, in Australia's Northern Territory.

Richard

MEET RAY

2011-10-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

A shovel-nosed ray I photographed at Darwin recently.

Richard

MEET SOME CROCS!

2011-09-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

A crocodile 'dozing' on the South Alligator River, while about 100klms away on the Adelaide River, another tackles a pork chop.
It's all happening in Australia's Northern Territory.

Richard

DARWIN ABSTRACT

2011-09-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

I love the pattern on this rock...

Richard

CROC GETS A CHOP

2011-09-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

Over the coming weeks I will post photos from our recent trip to Darwin.
Today's photo was taken on the Adelaide River.

Richard

TROPICAL TEXTURES

2011-09-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

A seed pod and a coconut half make for an interesting study.

Richard

TROPICAL ROCKS

2011-09-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

I love the colours and textures on these rocks that I photographed at Josephine Falls, in Far North Queensland.

Richard

SEED PODS CLOSE-UP

2011-09-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

A closer view of some tropical seed pods reveals some interesting abstraction.

Richard

TROPICAL OBJECTS

2011-09-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Seeds and seed pods are to be seen in abundance in the Tropics.

Richard

INVERTED LANDSCAPE

2011-09-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

An inverted view of shadows on a large rock near Chillagoe in Far North Queensland.

Richard

THE BOULDERS

2011-09-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

The Boulders near Babinda in Far North Queensland, is a popular tourist attraction.

Richard

MINE SHAFT

2011-09-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

A disused mine shaft at Herberton, Far North Queensland.

Richard

DIGITAL LANDSCAPE

2011-09-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

A section from one of the many cliff faces at the Cataract Gorge in Launceston, Tasmania.

Richard

TUMBLING WATER

2011-09-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

I love the abstract qualities in this photo of water tumbling over rocks below Josephine Falls.

Richard

ROCKPOOL

2011-09-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

A rockpool below Josephine Falls.

Richard

JOSEPHINE FALLS

2011-08-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

Two views of Josephine Falls, that can be found not far from Babinda in Far North Queensland.

Richard

ROCKS AT BINGIL BAY

2011-08-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

Bingil Bay is just north of Mission Beach in Far North Queensland, Australia.
The beach is strewn with a great variety of rocks, some of which I intend to draw.

Richard

PREHISTORIC TURTLE?

2011-08-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

An interesting piece of coral found on Bingil Bay beach in Far North Queensland, Australia.

Richard

COCONUT PALM ABSTRACT

2011-08-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

A sawn section of a coconut palm at Mission Beach made for an interesting digital abstract.

Richard

ZILLIE FALLS

2011-08-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Zillie Falls is less than 3 klms Northeast of Elinjaa Falls.

Richard

ELINJAA FALLS

2011-08-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

Elinjaa Falls is the southern most waterfall in the Milla Milla waterfall circuit, in Far North Queensland.

Richard

LOG MONSTER

2011-08-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

The things you come across in the Tropics!

Richard

ABSTRACT IN STONE

2011-08-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

I photographed this section of rock at Etty Bay (Far North Queensland) as I was taken by its abstract qualities.

Richard

CONCRETE LANDSCAPES

2011-08-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

Both of these digital images come from a section of what remains of the boat ramp at Mission Beach.

Richard

DIGITAL ART 2.

2011-08-12T00:01:00.001-07:00

This digital image from Etty Beach, is the same as the one featured on Wednesday's post, but with a little less 'tweaking'.
This image has a stronger 'landscape look', and I'm seriously considering it for a coloured pencil painting.

Richard

DIGITAL ART 1.

2011-08-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

This digital composition was the result of a photo I took of waves breaking on the beach at Etty Bay, a delightful place near Innisfail in Far North Queensland.
I see the potential here for a coloured pencil painting.

Richard

ABSTRACT LOG

2011-08-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

An interesting abstract pattern from a fallen tree near Mission Beach in Far North Queensland.

Richard

PALM PATTERN

2011-08-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

The root system at the base of a coconut palm that was flattened by cyclone Yasi at Mission Beach, Far North Queensland.

Richard

MISSION BEACH: POST YASI

2011-08-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Although 5 months has passed, Cyclone Yasi's impact is there for all to see at Mission Beach in Far North Queensland.
Many homes are yet to be repaired.
The landscape has been smashed to pieces...
To their credit, the inhabitants of this area are very positive and they and the landscape will recover.

Richard

FROM THE BEACH 2.

2011-08-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

I love the 'landscape qualities' of this digital abstract.

Richard

FROM THE BEACH 1.

2011-08-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Both of these digital images are as a result of a bech walk at Flying Fish Point, near Innisfail in Far North Queensland, Australia.

Richard

FLECKER GARDENS 3.

2011-07-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

The 'traps' are set...

Richard

FLECKER GARDENS 2.

2011-07-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

In the Fernery...

Richard

FLECKER GARDENS 1.

2011-07-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

Last week during the Cairns ARtescape I took my class to the Flecker Gardens, next door to where we were working.
The following 3 posts are from that visit.

Richard

CHILLAGOE HILLSIDE

2011-07-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

This hillside at the old Chillagoe smelters is composed of brick from the original smelters and natural rock.
This image will be part of a large drawing that I plan to compose next year when I return to Tasmania.
I am keen to enter it in a major art award, providing that I consider the final product a success.

Richard

NATURAL ABSTRACT NEAR CHILLAGOE

2011-07-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

What an impressive abstract!

Richard

CORAL TRIO

2011-07-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

Some examples of the enormous amount of dead coral I saw at Fitzroy Island recently.

I am planning a drawing from my visit.

Richard

ROCK IN SHADOW

2011-07-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

I featured this rock from Chillagoe on my blog a while ago, but I just had to post another view.

Richard

CHILLAGOE ROCK SHADOW

2011-07-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

An interesting shadow near the Chillagoe weir.

Richard

CHILLAGOE SCULPTURES

2011-07-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Two sculptures close to where we stayed at Chillagoe.

Richard

POLE WITH A PAST

2011-07-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

All that is left of a post at the old smelters at Chillagoe. I wonder what part it played in the smelters' history?

Richard

CHILLAGOE LANDSCAPE 2.

2011-07-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

Close to Chillagoe and with a different colour palette than yesterday's photo.

Richard

CHILLAGOE LANDSCAPE 1.

2011-07-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

The landscape around Chillagoe is quite unique.

Richard

TRIBUTE TO BENSON

2011-07-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

A year ago today I lost Benson, my mate of nearly 13 years. That day I felt that a part of me was destroyed forever. I still have not recovered from Benson's passing, maybe I never will.
Those of you who are dog owners will no doubt identify with me. The loss for me was terrible, but I am so grateful for the many good times we had together.
RIP Benny Boy!

Richard

THE CATHEDRAL FIG 2.

2011-07-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

This magnificent strangler fig in Far North Queensland deserved more than a single photo.

Richard

THE CATHEDRAL FIG

2011-07-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

There are two superb strangler figs on the Atherton Tablelands, the 'Curtain' fig and today's image, the 'Cathedral Fig'. The latter is my favourite and I'll post more images of it tomorrow.

Richard